Independent Anti-Corruption Commission Explained

The Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) is a Ukrainian civil society organization that monitors corruption, advocates for transparency, and upholds accountability in support of Ukraine's national security and sovereignty. Based in Kyiv, NAKO works both within Ukraine and internationally.

Independent Anti-Corruption Commission
Formation:	2016
Abbreviation:	NAKO
Formerly:	Independent Defence Anti-Corruption Committee (IAC)
Status:	Charity
Headquarters:	Kyiv, Ukraine
Sec Gen:	Olena Tregub
Main Organ:	Committee
Website:	https://nako.org.ua/en

Mission

NAKO's mission is to reduce corruption in defense and security sectors by conducting independent research, effective advocacy and informing the public, in order to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities. NAKO works with and supports the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the defense-industrial complex, and key anti-corruption bodies.^[1]

Areas of activity

NAKO advocates for reforms in Ukraine's defense procurement system, including the adoption of transparent and competitive bidding processes.^[2] NAKO's work has been highlighted in several major international publications, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, for bringing critical changes to Ukraine's military procurement processes, which had long been plagued by inefficiency and corruption.

NAKO's primary areas of activity are:

• defense procurement;
• development of the defense-industrial complex;
• implementation of proper governance in the security and defense sector;
• reduction of secrecy;^[3]
• democratic civilian control over the security and defense sector;
• gender equality in the security and defense sector;^[4]
• development and implementation of veteran policies;^[5]
• sanctions against the Russian Federation (from 2022);^{[6] [7] [8]}
• monitoring corruption risks during war (from 2022).

Leadership

Since October 2017, the organization has been headed by its Secretary General, Olena Tregub,.^{[9] [10]} Tregub is the former Director of International Aid Coordination for the Ukrainian Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.^[11]

History and Evolution

NAKO was established in 2016, initially as the Independent Anti-Corruption Committee on Defense (IAC). It was founded in response to widespread corruption in Ukraine's defense sector, which was widely acknowledged to be undermining both the country's military capabilities and its international standing.^[12] The organization was launched in collaboration with Transparency International Ukraine. Over time, as its mandate expanded beyond the defense sector, the committee rebranded itself as the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO).

NAKO's broader focus on not just defense but also on public sector governance reforms,^[13] legislative advocacy, and civic engagement in anti-corruption activities across various government sectors. The organization's mission aligns with Ukraine's broader goals of integrating into European and NATO security frameworks, which require stringent anti-corruption measures.

In 2019, NAKO became a separate public organization. With the expansion of its mandate, NAKO was renamed as the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO).

NAKO was founded in response to widespread corruption in Ukraine's defense sector, which was significantly undermining the country's military capabilities^[14] and its international standing.^[15] The organization was initially called the Independent Defense Anti-Corruption Committee and was launched in collaboration with Transparency International Ukraine. Over time, as its mandate expanded beyond the defense sector, the committee rebranded itself as the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO).

The rebranding was reflective of NAKO's broader focus on not only defense but also on public sector governance reforms, legislative advocacy, and civic engagement in anti-corruption activities across various government sectors. The organization's mission aligns with Ukraine's broader goals of integrating into European and NATO security frameworks, which require stringent anti-corruption measures.

Committee and Board Membership

In 2016, the IAC Committee included three Ukrainian and three international experts:

• Lieutenant General Tim Evans, former commander of NATO's Joint Rapid Response Corps;
• Drago Kos (co-chairman), former authorized representative for the fight against corruption in Slovenia, former chairman of GRECO;
• James Wasserstrom, Senior Anti-Corruption Advisor at the US Embassy in Kabul, Strategic Advisor and Head of Anti-Corruption, US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction;
• Volodymyr Ogryzko, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, First Deputy Secretary of the National Security Council of Ukraine;
• Oleg Rybachuk (co-chairman), chairman of the Board of Center UA, co-initiator of the "Chesno" movement and former Vice-Prime Minister for European Integration and Head of the Presidential Administration;
• Sevgil Musaeva, editor-in-chief of the online publication Ukrainian Pravda.

In April 2019, Lieutenant General Michel Yakovlev and Yulia Marushevska joined the Committee. Yulia joined as a new Ukrainian Member of the Committee, replacing Sevgil Musaieva, who became a Board Member.

As of September 2024, the members of NAKO's board are:

• Sevgil Musaeva, editor-in-chief of Ukrainian Pravda;
• Giovanni Kessler, Italian lawyer and prosecutor, former director general of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF);
• Andrii Borovyk,^[16] executive director of TI Ukraine^[17] ;
• Andrew Bain,^[18] US Marine Corps Reserve Colonel, president of Atlantic Group Limited.^[19]
• Larry Henderson, Vice President and Head of Analytic Intelligence at Arcanum Global^[20]

Research, Publications and Reports

NAKO conducts research and regularly publishes reports and white papers on corruption risks and governance issues in Ukraine and internationally. These publications have been featured in major global media outlets,^[21] and are used by policymakers both within Ukraine and internationally to guide reform efforts.^[22]

Financing

NAKO works with the support of both international donors and individual donations. Its activities are supported by, amongst others:

• British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO),
• U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID);
• National Endowment for Democracy (NED)

Donors who previously supported NAKO projects include:

• International Renaissance Foundation (IRF);
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands;
• Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Sweden);
• French Embassy in Ukraine;
• EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI).^[23]

Impact

NAKO's work has been recognized by international organizations, including NATO and the European Union, as essential for Ukraine's integration into Western defense and security frameworks. Time Magazine has noted NAKO's role in fostering international trust and cooperation,^[24] which is critical for Ukraine's geopolitical positioning.

References

1. News: Scheck . Justin . Gibbons-Neff . Thomas . 2023-08-12 . Zelensky Called Him a Criminal. Now Ukraine Calls Him for Guns and Ammo. . 2024-08-21 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
2. Web site: Haring . Melinda . 2019-01-24 . Are Things Really Changing at Ukroboronprom? . 2024-08-21 . Atlantic Council . en-US.
3. Web site: Haring . Melinda . 2018-07-30 . Why It's Too Soon to Celebrate Ukraine's New National Security Law . 2024-08-21 . Atlantic Council . en-US.
4. Musiiaka . Svitlana . Lazarenko . Maryna . Berlinska . Mariia . Hrytsenko . Hanna . Martsenyuk . Tamara . Oliinyk . Viktoriia . Fatsiievych . Viktoriia . 2023 . Sociological study "Access to military education for women in Ukraine" conducted as part of the NAKO project Promotion of Gender Equality in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (abridged version) . en.
5. Web site: Владислав . Дубов . 2023-03-30 . "Dignity and Respect": the UVF together with NAKO presented the concept of veteran policies . 2024-08-21 . Ветеранський фонд . en-US.
6. News: Tregub . Olena . 2023-02-08 . Western components have no place in Russia's arsenal . live . 2024-08-21 . Financial Times.
7. News: Plichta . Marcel . 2024-05-11 . Sanctions Be Damned, Putin's War Machine Is Still Powered by U.S. Parts . 2024-08-21 . The Daily Beast . en.
8. Web site: swissinfo.ch . S. W. I. . 2023-05-05 . Swiss microchips end up in Russia despite sanctions, says RSI . 2024-08-21 . SWI swissinfo.ch . en-GB.
9. Web site: 2017-10-04 . Olena Tregub Joined the Independent Defence Anti-Corruption Committee (NAKO) as its Secretary General . live . 2024-08-21 . Transparency International Ukraine.
10. Web site: CEU Alumna Tregub Appointed Secretary General of Independent Defence Anti-Corruption Committee Central European University . 2024-08-21 . www.ceu.edu.
11. Web site: Gienger . Viola . 2018-12-03 . Anti-corruption reformer ready for round two . live . https://archive.kyivpost.com/article/opinion/op-ed/viola-gienger-anti-corruption-reformer-ready-for-round-two.html . 2024-08-21 . Kyiv Post.
12. News: Scheck . Justin . Gibbons-Neff . Thomas . 2023-08-12 . Zelensky Called Him a Criminal. Now Ukraine Calls Him for Guns and Ammo. . 2024-08-20 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
13. Web site: 2022-05-24 . Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Campaigners See No Misuse of Western Military Aid . 2024-08-20 . Voice of America . en.
14. News: Higgins . Andrew . 2018-02-19 . In Ukraine, Corruption Is Now Undermining the Military . 2024-08-20 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
15. Web site: War and Corruption in Ukraine . 2024-08-20 . eucrim.eu . en.
16. https://ti-ukraine.org/en/team/andrii-borovyk/
17. https://ti-ukraine.org/en/
18. https://archive.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine-politics/ten-years-in-kyiv-atlantic-groups-andrew-bain-22581.html
19. https://atlanticgrouplimited.com/
20. https://arcanumglobal.com/
21. News: Talley . Ian . 2022-11-16 . Ukrainian Analysis Identifies Western Supply Chain Behind Iran's Drones . live . 2024-08-21 . The Wall Street Journal.
22. Web site: Kadam . Tanmay . 2022-12-06 . Canadian Firm 'Painfully Regrets' Its Parts Are Used In Shahed-136 UAVs That Russia Is Using To Attack Ukraine . 2024-08-21 . EURASIAN TIMES . en-US.
23. https://euaci.eu/who-we-are/about-programme
24. News: Shuster . Simon . 2024-01-29 . 'This Is the Way Out': Inside Ukraine's Plan to Arm Itself . live . 2024-08-21 . Time Magazine.